title: Nitric oxide, a protective molecule in the cardiovascular system.
abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) is an intra- and inter-signaling molecule that regulates vessel dilatation, neuronal transmission, cardiac contraction, immunomodulation, and stem cell differentiation and proliferation. NO plays an important protective role in the cardiovascular system. NO inhibits smooth muscle cells proliferation and migration; enhances proliferation and migration of endothelial cell and inhibits apoptosis; suppresses platelet aggregation; and prevents platelet, leukocyte and monocyte adhesion to endothelium. NO exerts an inhibitory effect on the development of intimal hyperplasia in mechanically or immunologically injured vessel. New therapeutic approaches aimed at enhancing NO bioavailability or assisting delivery of NO locally may help patients with cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, United States. Electronic address: jinglei2009@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: Yoram
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Vodovotz
authors.forename: Edith
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tzeng
authors.forename: Timothy R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Billiar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D042783:Endothelial Cells; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D020011:Protective Agents
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D020011:Protective Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide
keywords: Blood vessel injury; Endothelial cell; Intimal hyperplasia; Nitric oxide; Smooth muscle cell; Transplant vasculopathy